The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has removed the drop box option for visa renewals, requiring all applicants to undergo in-person interviews. This change has been noted amid an existing backlog of visa applications that has led to long wait times. The decision revives pre-2020 procedures and could adversely affect various groups seeking U.S. visas.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has discontinued the drop box option for visa renewals, which allowed qualifying applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview. This change has reportedly affected many applicants trying to schedule renewals, as the drop box option has been quietly removed from the appointment system. This transition is a shift back to the pre-2020 process where all applicants must now undergo an in-person interview.
The removal of the drop box feature aligns with a significant backlog of visa applications in Nigeria, which has seen applicants waiting close to a year for their visa appointments. Previously, some applicants were directed to seek alternative appointment slots in Abuja due to unavailability in Lagos. The decision echoes past instances, notably in 2018, when similar restrictions were imposed, citing concerns over visa overstays by travelers from Nigeria.
The elimination of the drop box visa processing option for Nigerian applicants means longer wait times for visa renewals. All applicants will now require in-person interviews, impacting medical travelers, business visitors, students, and others who previously relied on the expedited process. The U.S. Embassy has yet to provide an official statement regarding this significant policy change, which reflects ongoing changes in visa processes during the current administration.
Original Source: www.pulse.ng
